Manor still plans to race in 2015

Manor, which raced as Marussia until 2014, still intends to enter the upcoming campaign, the team announced on Friday evening.

Marussia has been in administration since October and missed the last three races of 2014 but FRP Advisory announced this week that the team would exit administration on February 19.

It was understood that on Thursday the Strategy Group denied the team's request to enter this season with a 2014 car but the outfit confirmed that it received the go ahead to modify its 2014 machine to the 2015 regulations a month ago.

The team says that such a process is ongoing, along with development on the 2015 car, and that staff have been recruited from the former Marussia and Caterham squads, as well as from rival teams which laid off members.

"I was surprised to hear some of the comments made today, particularly regarding an application we were said to have made to yesterday’s meeting, which I can confirm was not the case," said team representative Graeme Lowdon.

"We did make a request on 17 December last year and we have been working since to satisfy the requirements subsequently communicated to us, specifically complying with all the Regulations, aside from the exempted articles.

"The comments also mentioned that issues of compliance were raised, that it was felt that our application lacked substance and contained no supporting documentation to reinforce the case for offering special dispensation. Again, we did not make any application to yesterday’s Strategy Group meeting and nor were we asked to.

"Instead, we are proceeding with our clear process regarding compliance and building our operation. We are doing everything possible to adhere to the process set out for us to return to the 2015 grid. This is a fantastic good news story for the whole sport and we just want to go racing."